Editing Union army (section)

==Military tactics==
The [[military tactics|tactics]] of the Union army, as with their Confederate opponents, was derived from [[early modern warfare|traditions]] developed in Europe around the use of [[smoothbore musket]]s: soldiers marching shoulder-to-shoulder in [[Line (formation)|lines]], [[Column (formation)|columns]] and other formations in order to deliver [[volley fire]] on the enemy.  The most notable development though was the widespread use of [[rifled musket]]s, which had an effective range of 500 yards versus the smoothbore's 100 yards.  This led to predictions the defense would have the advantage over an attacker and render such linear tactics obsolete, which many contemporaries and early historians echoed.  More recently, historians have questioned this narrative and argued based on research that most combat still took place at the range of smoothbore muskets and casualty rates were little different from during the [[Napoleonic Wars]].  Instead they assert these tactics still remained relevant during the Civil War.<ref>{{cite book|author=Earl J. Hess|title=Civil War Infantry Tactics: Training, Combat, and Small-Unit Effectiveness|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o1njBgAAQBAJ&pg=PG1|year=2015|publisher=LSU Press|page=xi–xxi|isbn=9780807159385}}</ref>

In the first stage of an attack, preparatory fire would be carried out by [[Field artillery in the American Civil War|field artillery]] and [[skirmishers]]. When possible a [[flanking maneuver]] was preferred, but if necessary a [[frontal assault]] was conducted, with [[feint]]s to draw off the enemy's attention. Successive lines of [[Infantry in the American Civil War|infantry]] would advance on the enemy at a walking pace until the first line got to within 200 yards or less, whereupon (ideally) they broke into a charge to overrun the enemy's position, stopping only once to fire a volley. If successful the first line would regroup in place as the succeeding lines pass through to attack the next position; if they became bogged down or forced to retreat, the next line would pass through to continue the attack.<ref name=Griffith59>{{cite book|author=Paddy Griffith|title=Battle in the Civil War: Generalship and Tactics in the American Civil War 1861–65|year=2021|publisher=Amazon Digital Services LLC – KDP Print US|pages=46–59|isbn=9798534453355}}</ref> More likely, the attackers stopped within 100 yards of the enemy and begin exchanging fire with them until using up their ammunition and either be driven off or press home with a [[bayonet charge]].<ref>Griffith (2021), pages 76-81</ref>

[[Fieldworks]] were used extensively on the defensive thanks to the teachings of [[Dennis Hart Mahan]] at West Point. Even when not conducting a siege, such defensive fortifications would be constructed if time allowed. Examples included [[rifle pit]]s, [[abatis]]es, [[wire obstacle]]s, [[land mines]], and [[palisade]]s. Truly impressive [[trench warfare|trench systems]] could be constructed thanks to the widespread use of Black laborers.<ref>Griffith (2021), pages 70–72</ref>  If field fortifications were not available, the main defensive line would be formed around a strong terrain feature (stone wall, [[Embankment (earthworks)|embankment]], etc.) which ideally allowed for [[flanking fire]]. Supporting lines were placed behind the main line, on a hill overlooking it if possible but otherwise providing a ready reserve. [[Counter-battery fire]] would attempt to knock out the enemy's artillery while skirmishers harassed the attacker as they advanced. Once within range, the defending infantry attempted to drive off the enemy with superior firepower or, if timed right, a counter-charge of their own.<ref>Griffith (2021), page 53</ref>

Union [[Cavalry in the American Civil War|cavalry]] were rarely used in actual battle in the first years of the war, instead being parceled out on scouting and raiding missions and often at a disadvantage against their Confederate counterparts.  Under energetic commanders like [[Philip Sheridan]] however the Union cavalry grew into its own and developed tactics unique from their European counterparts. Instead of masses of [[heavy cavalry]] charging enemy infantry, a cavalry force would leave a portion of its troopers mounted while the rest dismounted to engage the enemy in a firefight. The widespread employment of [[repeating firearm]]s gave Union cavalry a particular advantage, especially when utilizing [[marching fire]]. If the firefight did not achieve success, the dismounted portion could clear any obstacles to allow the mounted portion to charge with revolvers and sabers, and if not successful the force could remount and use their mobility to attack from another direction. In this way an enemy could be [[defeat in detail|defeated in detail]] as these successive attacks forced them to spread out and allowed isolated elements to eventually be overwhelmed.<ref>Griffith (2021), pages 85–89</ref>